01/03/06

Our resource section is here to serve those ministering to or thinking about ministering to youth.  We are always looking for good resources so if you feel like sharing yours please let me know!

Some of the files below require Abode Acrobat Reader to be viewed. 

How To Do Evangelism In Youth Groups 

How To Start & Run A Cafe Style Church Service

Recognising Spiritual Abuse

So You Want Youth In Your Church?

Despite what you may think the most difficult part of starting a ministry to youth is not finding the youth themselves, but rather finding the workers to gather in the harvest!  You only have to go down to the local school or shops to find the youth.  If only it was that easy to find the leaders you will need too. 

But lets not get ahead of ourselves.  The first question you need to ask is, "Do you really want youth in your church?"  Sure, you say yes!  But what about the Rector & Wardens, the Parish Council, and finally the rest of the congregation?  Do they want youth in their church? After all, youth have their price!  Last month our youth group put a hole in the roof of the hall with a soccer ball.  Should we go to them and tell them that they should pay?  If we did do you think they'd come back?  But the real price of having youth in your church is much greater than the financial cost.  The real cost is measured in terms of CHANGE!

Let's say you've got 6-12 youths attending your typical Friday night youth group.  One day they will need to be integrated into a service that suits them.  Have you got one?  I thought not.  Here's where it gets hard.  Do you have the resources to start a young peoples service on say, Sunday Night?  If so, great.  If not, your only option apart from recommending they go to the local Pentecostal church is to introduce changes to one of your existing services to include and attract them.  After all, they will only sing songs that were written before they were born for so long!  Getting the picture?